THE LONG WAIT COMES TO AN END AS REDGATE CLINCH TITLE
REDGATE Clayton were crowned Premier Division champions for the first time in 31 years after a 2-1 home victory over Kidsgrove Athletic.
However, they had to battle back from a goal down to ultimately win the top-flight title.
Redgate were slow to get to the grips with the game, losing skipper Richie Leach early on with a hamstring injury.
Then, in the 13th minute, from a counter-attack Grove struck with a sensational 25-yard strike from Jack Cotterill.
Gate manager Dan Dawson’s halftime team talk must have done the trick as his charges showed more purpose in the second half and were rewarded when a superb cross from the right was met by the incoming Dave Ashley whose powerful header gave Barry Weston in the Kidsgrove goal little chance.
Then in the 65th minute Redgate wideman Harry Baggaley latched on to a defensive error and coolly slotted his shot home.
The frantic final twenty minutes produced much drama, but no further goals as Redgate were able to celebrate.
Foley Meir secured a 3-0 win at Madeley White Star.
Two first-half goals from skipper Tom Wakefield and a penalty converted by Ben Hewitt secured the points.
With six games still to play in a rain-interrupted season, Ashbourne picked up three valuable points away at Audley following a narrow 3-2 win which moved them up a place to 12th in the standings.
Jake Ridley, Arron Russell and Paul Spencer were on target for the Shrovetiders with the Audley goals coming from Billy Middleton and an own goal.
Rocester progressed to the fifth round of the Leek Cup with a 2-1 home win against AFC Alsager.
Charlie Padania opened the scoring for the South Cheshire visitors on 17 minutes with Jordon Dodd equalising for the hosts six minutes before the interval.
The tie was settled when former Wolstanton and Foley Meir goal machine Mark Grice popped up with the winner in the 74th minute.
FC41 advanced to the fourth round of the competition with a 2-1 win at Newhall United.
In Division One, Leek Town Development relinquished second place after they were held 2-2 at Evans Park by hosts Stafford Town.
Mohammed Muntalebi and Kyle Bailey were on target for the Staffordshire Moorlanders with Ryan Kennedy and Jack Rotherham notching for Stafford.
Keele University took advantage with a 2-1 success at Florence to jump up to second in the table.
In Division Two North, Audley Development eased to a 6-2 win against Madeley White Star Reserves.
The hosts from Audley raced ahead after just three minutes though George Swindells with Lee Mountford adding a second on 26 minutes.
Changes made at the beginning of the second half brought an upturn in goal action for Audley with Joe Jones finding the net just five minutes into the second period.
Substitute Philip Farr made a difference, scoring a brace in eight minutes with Liam Curley rounding the Audley scoring off in the 67 th minute.
Simon Yorke’s FC Hanley are now 14 points clear of second-placed Milton United Reserves with their latest success being a 3-0 victory over FC41 Reserves at Northwood Stadium.
Former Norton United and Abbey Hulton striker Lee Cropper was on target for Hanley with the prolific Owen Harold and Thomas Smith also hitting the back of the net.
Milton United Reserves moved into second position after recording a 6-2 away-day win over Ashbourne Reserves at the Recreation Ground.
The final score could not have been predicted at half-time with the sides level at 1-1 with Richard Coates scoring for the hosts and Harley Shaw for Milton.
Coates was once again on target for the Shrovetiders, but an Elijah Lloyd penalty, a Jamie Nejrup goal, a two-minute brace from Leighton Jones and a last-minute strike from Thomas Oxford rounded off a second-half demolition.
In Division Two South, Three Spires United trounced fellow Lichfield side Whittington 4-0.
Josh Clamp opened the scoring for the Spires in the third minute with Tommy Wraxton adding a second shortly before half-time.
Player-coach Jon Bould added a second half brace to round off the scoring against the bottom club.
Eastwood Hanley Reserves booked their place in the Chairman’s Cup semi-finals after narrowly edging past Keele University Reserves 3-2 at Trentmill Road courtesy of a secondminute Jordan Condliffe strike and two own goals.
Also progressing into the last four by a 3-2 scoreline were Leek CSOB Reserves who overcame Walsall Phoenix at Pointon Park with first-half goals coming from Kegan Thomas, Charlie Jones and Jayden Binns together with a dismissal of Jacques Rushton.
Phoenix replied through Cameron Davies and Kieran Scandrett.
Cresswell Wanderers Reserves also entered the semi-finals following a 3-0 away victory over Shropshirebased Albrighton at Loak Road.
Kofi Whittle hit a double with Asa Smith adding another in the victory.